RV caucus voices support for modernizing campgrounds

RESTON, Virg. – On July 18, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, members of the House and Senate RV Caucuses and outdoor recreation industry leaders met and agreed on ways to leverage public-private partnerships to improve visitor experiences in public campgrounds, while also helping to reduce the Department of Interior’s maintenance backlog within the National Park Service (NPS).

RVIA has been working with Secretary Zinke for months on ways to modernize NPS which culminated in a presentation to leaders from Capitol Hill and the Department of the Interior during Made In America Week.

“Northern Indiana is the RV capital of the world, so Hoosiers know just how vital outdoor recreation is to growing our economy and creating good jobs for American workers,” said House RV Caucus co-chair, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski.

She added, “This opportunity to boost investment in outdoor tourism through public-private partnerships is a turning point for keeping America’s parks open for business and building even more American-made RVs and boats.”

Walorski was joined in the meeting by fellow Indiana lawmakers, and RV Caucus members Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN-3).

“Road trips are a proud American tradition, and the RVs that many families use for these great excursions are a renowned Hoosier product. More than 80 percent of all RVs are made in our great state. From engineering to manufacturing, Hoosier RVs keep Americans safe and comfortable while they’re out on the open road,” said Sen. Todd Young.

He added, “It was a great privilege to join Secretary Zinke and the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR), including RV industry representatives, to discuss opportunities for improved collaboration to drive investment in the recreation sector and improve Americans’ access to our treasured natural resources.”

“The outdoor recreation industry creates thousands of jobs in Indiana and is a vital part of northeast Indiana’s economy,” said Congressman Banks. “I was honored to join Secretary Zinke last Tuesday to highlight how we can work together with private companies through public-private partnerships to promote visits to our national parks and public lands.”

Following the meeting, House RV Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Dennis A. Ross, met with Secretary Zinke as he toured four RVs on display in front of the Department of Interior as part of Made in America Week.

“As a kid raised in the RV industry traveling the country and going through the National Parks, I am absolutely delighted that Secretary Zinke has decided to pursue public-private partnerships with our National Parks,” said Ross.

He added, “More than 9 million Americans own RVs and a quarter of a million people are employed in the industry. My home state of Florida is rich with National Parks and provides nearly $1 billion in economic output through the RV industry, with Tampa hosting the largest RV consumer show in North America and the largest single site RV dealership in America. Yet, our National Parks haven’t kept pace.

“Now we have an opportunity with our conservation friends, outdoor recreation friends, and RV industry friends to partner together to make sure we modernize our parks, where experienced concessionaires could finance and upgrade campsites on federal lands, while balancing vital conservation needs and keeping the iconic National Park Service look and feel,” he continued.

In addition, Ross said, “Park partnerships are a win-win-win solution for the American people, the U.S. economy and federal land agencies. These partnerships would not only boost federal revenue and address backlogged maintenance, but better respond to the desires of Millennial, urban and traveling Americans and today’s RVers.”

Senate RV Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joe Donnelly said of the event, “It is crucial that we continue to promote outdoor recreation to grow our economy and ensure new generations of Americans enjoy our country’s natural resources.”

About Ronnie Wendt

Ronnie Wendt is the editor in chief of RV Daily Report. She's been a writer/editor for more than 25 years, working in law enforcement, aviation, supply chain and now the RV industry. She's not a stranger to RVs, however. She grew up camping, and still camps as many weekends as she can every year.